The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1887-12-01

judicious selection. and assurance of q tenure
during good behavior This statement is made
Notwithstanding the fact that the railway mali
service is to-day in superior condition, am
thoroughly assured. to that OF any previous
period. No immediate exigency presses Inc
present is easy and safe, nor is there cause Tor
serious apprehension in anything WITHIN near ear
view. But though all this be, the peris OF the
future are too obvious and too immense to De
disreearded. and they may be the better avoided
by calm provision. than risked to sudden en-
counter in realization.
1T may some time be required of this depart
ment to undertake control of the most advanced
and rapid modes of correspondence of modern
device / purpose discussion of the subject,
which has already attracted and must continue
to enlist the general attention OF the congress-
to such an extent that discussion hero could be
of little additional value. 1t involves pro-
tracted argument upon, not only the question
of general expediency, but of the proper means
of dealing justly with present conditions. Yet,
if it shall happen that the difficulties yield to
patient consideration and the demands OF the
country for the best auxiliares to its business
facilities, it will be of supreme Importance to
the end to make wise provisions for a safe and
satisfactory establishment of the requisite
force of employees without dangerous increase of
federal power. and steps for Improvement in
the establishment of the posra. service mest be
a beneficial beginning.
Ownership by the government of its postal
cannot but much relieve tho difficulties of
tho COMPENSATION problem. So far they are
concerned. their transportation may be COM
pensated, doubtless. by the payment or a just
upon scale not difficult to arrive at fairly: to
be accompanied with simple provisions for the
protection of the mutual rights of the govern
ment and the transporting companies. The ad-
vantages and convenience of such system will
find MANY strengthening arguments which are
not now enlarged upon Professionally. the con-
rlnuance of tho present rate of payment would
be more than just, has been demonstrated.
The elimination ot the lines which postofice
viii, much simplify the compensa-
ton problem. Payment for transportation in
cars, of which bat portion is used for mail
service, probably be adjusted moro easily
upon the basis of space employed. the favorte
ject. Such will necessarily be drawn in
the usual passenger trains. and the vexatious
complications touching speed and frequenc.
slip out to a great degree. =
The revenue of the past year enjoyed its
chief increase from the sale of stamps and
stamped paper, in which the gain was 50, 223,-
the advantage of the estimated amount of $122.-
600 arising from the sales Of specal-delivery
stamps. OF which one-ffth only Is the share re-
naming after the. allowance Tor delivery is
made; and it was doubtless augmented by the
operation of the order made in 1886 admitting to
the mails fluids. pas:es and powders formerly
excluded, but which, by reason of improved
modes of packing of recent invention. may now
be safely carried. There also gain of
nearly 10 per cent. in the sale of newspaper
and periodical stamps, over 4 per cent. better
than the general of increase The main
cause, however, the activity of business;
and the largo gain is pleasing testimony both
TO its hoursbing condition and to the usefulness
of the service as its auxiliary.
1.-THE revenue from the money order business
is nominally more than doubled; but this is only
an apparent. not . real, gain, and is due wholly
to the fact that clerical service in postof6ces
money order account was, under the act of 1856,
charged last year to the appropriation for clerk
hire in postoff1ces instead of deducted from the
oney-order proceeds There in fact
diminished money-order revenue, the
quence of the reduction In the rates charged for
orders and for domestic orders OF
SIS less. The item of box-rents shows the |
increase of $40. 45l. 81, and the
ceipts for mails carried for foreign countries
rose about sc per cent. Every avenue Of revenue
gain was manifestiy quickened. the miscellan-
eous receipts being more than trebed.
"a Fourth Assistant Postmaster general be- |
comes with every year a more desirable addition
to the official force of tho department. The care
of postofices requires the assistance of such an
officer This must be conceded by any one who |
will inquire in the subjects of which some dis
cussion has already been presented. respect
fully invite q fresh consideration of what has |
been submitted in former reports in support of
the recommendation. Should the suggestions
hereinbefore made in favor of postofice buildings
lead their construction by the government,
the duties of such officer would naturally |
com rehend that subject, well as tbs siSs
plies and allowances of postofices. The appoint
ments, the correspondence for instruction of
postmasters and others. and the free-delivery |
services will demand all the labor, exhaustively |
of any First Assistant"